05/09/2023
BRANDS vs GENERIC
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. 💡
Myths about the effectiveness of generics
Myth 1: Generics aren’t as strong or don’t work as well.
FACT: Active ingredients in a brand-name drug and a generic one are exactly the same.
A generic drug must come in the same strength of concentration, dosage form and route of administration as the brand-name drug. If the brand name is a 100 mg tablet to be swallowed, the generic will be a 100 mg tablet to be swallowed.
Myth 2: Generics don’t work as long.
FACT: The FDA only approves the generic of a brand-name drug if they show major similarities in how well they work.
Most generics don’t vary from brand-name drugs in bioequivalence by much more than 4 percent. Bioequivalence is when two drugs with the same active ingredients produce the same effects on the body and are absorbed into the body at the same degree and rate.
The American Journal of Therapeutics study mentioned above had something to say about this too. Though generic medications aren’t required to have the same inactive ingredients, “small changes or impurities in the (inactive ingredients) … can alter the properties of a medication and lead to unexpected adverse effects on drug absorption, bioavailability, efficacy and safety.
“Furthermore, the appearance, taste, allergenicity, and shelf life may differ between generic and branded medications because of variations in the salt or ester of the active ingredient in the formulations.”[5]
In short, if you have concerns over shelf life, please check with your healthcare provider.
Myth 3: Generics and brand name drugs always look different.
FACT: Because of trademark laws, generic drugs can’t look like the brand-name version. That’s why you’ll see variations in attributes like shape or color.
Sometimes, though, you’ll run across an “authorized generic.” This is the brand-name drug the manufacturer has simply re-labeled and marketed as a generic to compete with other generics.
Authorized generics often look just like the brand-name version, but are less expensive.
FACT: You also have the right to ask for the brand-name drug if that’s what you prefer.